Nemërçkë

Mountain trails, village churches and the Sopot waterfall, in the high limestone range above the Vjosa valley.

Nemërçkë (also written Nemërçka, Nemërça or Nemercke) is the long limestone mountain range that rises east of Përmet along the Greek border. The massif is about 20 km long and 4 to 10 km wide, and its highest summit, Papingu, reaches about 2,482 metres. From Përmet you can walk to the Sopot waterfall at the foot of the range, follow village paths to the church at Leusë, or cross the pass between Dhëmbel and Nemërçkë for views over the Vjosa valley.

Nemërçkë at a glance

Location	East of Përmet, on the border between southern Albania and northern Greece; the massif lies across the Gjirokastër and Përmet municipalities
Size	About 20 km long and 4 to 10 km wide
Highest peak	Papingu, about 2,482 m
Other named summits	Maja e Gatakut (2,269 m), Maja e Qesarit (2,253 m) and Maja e Poliçanit (2,138 m)
Rock	Limestone, heavily karstified
Snow	The range is covered in snow from about November to April
Wildlife	Wikipedia lists mountain partridge, wild goat and wild boar
Nearest town	Përmet

The landscape

Nemërçkë is built of Mesozoic and Paleogene limestone, shaped by karst into a rugged ridge. The eastern slope falls away steeply, often as cliffs that cannot be climbed, while the western slope facing the Vjosa valley is more gradual. Glaciers carved cirques, bowl-shaped hollows, into the high ground above about 1,700 metres. The ridge forms the eastern side of the Vjosa valley around Përmet.

Snow covers the chain from about November to April, and avalanches are frequent on the western slope in winter. Plan high-mountain walks for late spring to autumn.

Hiking from Përmet

Several routes start close to town. The figures below come from published route listings on Outdooractive and Komoot; your own time will depend on your pace, the weather and the state of the path.

Route	Distance	Typical time	Ascent	Rating
Sopot waterfall, from the village of Stërmbec	About 5.7 to 9 km, depending on the route	About 2 h 45 min to 3 h 10 min	About 490 m	Easy
Leusë village and church loop, from Përmet	About 4.2 km	About 1 h 25 min	Not listed	Not listed
Sheper to Përmet over the Dhëmbel pass	About 12.8 km	About 5 h 30 min	About 590 m	Moderate

The Sopot waterfall

The Sopot (Sopoti) waterfall drops in tiers through a narrow rocky channel above the village of Stërmbec (also written Strëmbec), at the foot of Mount Nemërçkë. The village is about 15 km south of Përmet, roughly 20 minutes by road. It is a short, relatively easy hike, and one of the most popular walks around Përmet.

The church at Leusë

Leusë is a village on the slope of Dhëmbel mountain, only 1 to 2 km from Përmet. A short loop climbs from town through the village to the post-Byzantine church of Saint Mary, which local guides say has preserved frescoes and a carved wooden iconostasis, and returns with views over the town and the river.

The Dhëmbel pass

Longer routes cross the pass between Dhëmbel and Nemërçkë, such as the Sheper to Përmet route in the table. Hiking accounts describe an ascent through a canyon into a high valley used by shepherds, with views over the Vjosa valley, Përmet below and the Hotova–Dangëlli National Park opposite.

Climbing Papingu from Përmet

Papingu (also called Maja e Dritës) is the summit of the Nemërçkë range. Wikipedia and the hikr.org waypoint give about 2,482 m, while the hikr.org text says 2,485 m. Its eastern face drops almost vertically towards the Vjosa valley, where the river runs at about 200 m, which the report calls probably the most dramatic alpine view in Albania outside the Albanian Alps. The western slopes are hidden in the Zagoria valley.

The published route starts at the village of Gjinkar near Përmet. hikr.org rates it T3, difficult mountain hiking, and gives about 2,309 m of climbing and the same of descent over about 14 km one way. The report is from a May 2014 hike, so check conditions before you go. The climb is done as an overnight trip:

Stage	What the report describes
Day 1	About 1,650 m of climbing to a camp at about 1,900 m, in a gap in the ridge. The steepest part is through forest, from grazing land at about 850 m up to about 1,550 m. After that the slope is gentler.
Camp	There is no water at the camp (the walkers found snow in May), so carry what you need.
Day 2	About 700 m of climbing to the summit and about 2,350 m of descent, around 18.5 km in total. The summit ridge is a gentle slope, but there are steep drops on the eastern side.

In early May the ridge was still snow-covered, with large cornices (overhanging snow) on the eastern face, so keep well back from the edge. The report advises an ice axe if you go before May, and describes the trail as obvious in summer, once the snow has gone. Snow may be hard and tricky in the morning. The walkers hired a mule to carry their supplies.

Getting to the start. Leave Përmet towards Greece or Korçë. At Badelonjë, at a café called Nemercke, cross the Vjosa on a steel bridge and stay on the riverside until a sharp right turn leads to Gjinkar, which belongs to the Petran commune. The bridge from Petran village to Gjinkar is not suitable for vehicles, so with public transport you drive to Petran, cross the footbridge and walk on.

Go with a local guide or an experienced partner, carry all the water you need, leave a route plan with someone and turn back if the weather changes.

Safety and planning

Go between late spring and autumn for the high ground. Snow and avalanches make the range a winter mountaineering environment.
Carry plenty of water, sun protection and a map or a downloaded track, and tell someone where you are going.
Weather in the mountains can change quickly. Turn back if a storm builds.
The simplest way to avoid route-finding problems is a local guide. See the hiking guide for more routes and tips.

Combine it with

A soak at the Benja thermal baths after a walk.
A day in the Hotova–Dangëlli National Park.
A visit to the town of Përmet for gliko and dinner.

There is nothing to book here directly yet. Search live availability across the whole area, or browse tours and activities and places to stay.

Nemërçkë: questions and answers

What is the highest peak in the Nemërçkë mountains?

Papingu, at about 2,482 metres. Other named summits include Maja e Gatakut (2,269 m), Maja e Qesarit (2,253 m) and Maja e Poliçanit (2,138 m).

How long is the Nemërçkë range?

The massif is about 20 km long and between 4 and 10 km wide. It runs along the border between southern Albania and northern Greece.

Where is the Sopot waterfall?

Above the village of Stërmbec, at the foot of Mount Nemërçkë, about 15 km south of Përmet and roughly 20 minutes away by road. The hike from the village is rated easy in route listings, which give between about 5.7 and 9 km and roughly 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes.

When does snow fall on Nemërçkë?

The range is covered in snow from about November to April, and avalanches are frequent on the western slope. The high ground is best walked from late spring to autumn.

Can you hike in Nemërçkë from Përmet?

Yes. Routes start close to town, including the Sopot waterfall, a loop to the church at Leusë and a longer crossing of the Dhëmbel pass. See the hiking guide.

What animals live in the Nemërçkë mountains?

Wikipedia lists mountain partridge, wild goat and wild boar among the species of the range.

Is Nemërçkë on the Greek border?

Yes. The massif straddles the border between southern Albania and northern Greece.

Sources

Facts checked in October 2026. Route times are typical figures from route listings, not guarantees.